The National tribune., 1887-10-27

supports Hoods aud McLaws's Divisions, con-
trary 10 expectation and orders, added no sup
port TO the charging column; did not, in fact,
move in that direction. and were too remote TO
render any assistance" Mai. Nenable, Lees
Aid de Camp, saws substantially the same, and
both Of them might with truth have added
that Hoods Division was too busly engaged
with Kilpatrick's cavalry 10 comply with the
instructions named, and that, instead OF get
ting nearer the center, force of circumstances,
or rather, the force of kilpatrick's charges,
Obliged them 10 get farther away from It,
In one of these charges, and the most impor-
tant one, the brave Gen, EarnswOrth, com
mander OF the First Brigade. was killed, after
be and his brave followers rode several miles
beyond the skirmish-line, the enemy contest
ing every inch Of the way: but though many
of the boys in blue bit the dust" they halted
not nor wayered until they had driven the foe
from position after position and from two stone
harricadcs; halted not nor wavered until they
had crossed Plum Crock and reached the base
Of Round Top; halted not nor wavered until
all but mere handful were
EITHER KILLED or CAPTURED.
This terrible charge was made i'm direct COM
pliance with Meade's instructions; and while
the sacrifice was fearful, its effect was so i'm
pOrtant and SO highly appreciated by Meade
that, j have il on good authority, he comph-
plmented Fitzpatrick in the highest terms
even going so far as 10 say, Your cavalry has
saved the day.
not with Fitzpatrick on this day, but it did
good service with Gregg in taking care Of Stu
art on the right, aud Merritt's Brigade well
supplied its place.
Id will be remembered that Lees retreat from
Gettysburg was retarded and rendered difficult
and costly by the execution Of our cavalry on
his advancing columns, the destruction OF
wagon trains, supplies, etc. In TINS work Kill
patrick's Division took an active and leading
part and had several stubborn fights with the
enemy. Among these mention may be made
of the engagement at Monterey Mount Pass
midnight, July 4, where kilpatricks command
was attacked in front and rear by the enemy
in force and was in great danger Of being ami
hilated, but he fought his way out by driving
the enemy in his front 10 the summit, then
down the other side of the mountain, captHr-
ing 1850 Of the enemy and destroying
EwRLLs IMMENSE WAGON TRAIN.
Also defeated Stuart at Smithburg. surprised
and defeated him again at HageTstOwn July s.;
and il was here where the gallant Capt. Uric
Dahlgren lost leg.
Fitzpatrick S and Buford's forces uniting about
Wiliamsport, they captured and destroyed
/ 100 wagons of Lees train, and the whole train
/ would have shared the same fate had not an
! immense force Of infantry and cavalry come
! upon aud surrounded them. Ii was only after
/ the most desperate and determined effort that
! Fitzpatrick aud Buford extricated themselves
! from their perious position.
On july the great cavalry battle OF Boonsboro
was fought and won 10y our troops under kilpat-
I rick and Buiord, their opponent being Gen. stu
art who fought for the safe retreat OF the COnfed
crate army, while South Mount Pass was the
object Of Kilpatrick's and Buford's solicitude.
Coming unexpectedly upon the enemys rear
] guard under Maj zen. Pettigrew at Falling
1 Waters X ilpatriclS s cavalry charged upon them
with sabers and utterly defeated and demoral-
lied them. In this engagement Gen. Petit
grew was killed, l.50O prisoners were taken,
aud two guns and two battleflags captured. In
! kilpatricks report on this campaign he states
My command has captured 1880 prisoners,
nine guns and
ELEVEN BATTLEFLAGs."
Truly a remarkably good showing for a divis-
/ ion of cavalry that numbered less than 1000
active men at the commencement Of this cam
paign, and less than 5000 at It's close.
For some time after the exciting events last
referred 10 both sides suspended active hostility
| for rest aud TO recuperate their strength for
future struggles. During this interval Kill
patrick paid visit 10 his home TO enjoy for a
4 brief period. and, alas, for the last time, the
precious society of his loving wife and darling
K boy. lt is scarcely necessary 10 say that he
was welcomed with unbounded Joy and that
he WAS liOnized by all wherever he went. Leav-
ing West Point two years before as Second
/ Lieutenant, he returns a General Of renOwn
aud commander Of a cavalry division second
TO none i'm the service. On all sides honors
We're paid him Of the most faitering character
On expiration of his leave Of absence kilpat-
rick reioned his command at Warrenton. Va.
and within a few days thereafter had another
encounter with the enemy at Brandy Station
and almost Immediately following most des
perate one az Culpcper. Bufora and Greggi
cavalry cooperating. After stubborn delens,
our troops finally succeeded in capturing thai
town and in driving the enemy several mile
beyond. Three guns and many prisoners wer,
captured here short time afterwarl Pleas
OntOn, Fitzpatrick, Davis and Custer met anC
defeated Stuart
AT BRANDY STATION,
and this was the last of the cavalry fights a
that historic pont-at least, the last ia whicl
Fitzpatrick participated
Next, at Buckland's Mills, Fitzpatrick, hav
ing the advance, came upon a whole corps O
the enemy, which retired in his front and sud
denly attacked him ON the left flank in an at
tempt 10 destroy the brigade in advance, am
while he was obliged 10 fall back he did so il
good order, and only after doing them consid
/ cradle damage.
IL was shortly 1fter the last-named even
that j. ilpatTlck met with domestic sOrr0w-th
loss OF his wife and boy-which for years after
wards made him one of the most unhappy @
men, and which so pr0strated him with grie
that IL was feared his reason would be de
) thr0ned, or that he too would succumb 10 Ia
King Of Tcrrors.
= Rallying however from this terrible shocl
Fitzpatrick at once went again 10 the front and
, j may say, remained there during the rest
the war Doubtless the employment and eA
: citement thus afforded enabled him at times
4 FORGET HIS GREAT SORROW.
. The events have narrated sufficiently we
d established kilpatrick's courage and skill an
Y the same were universally admitted but froi
d this time on his eageness for fighting an
= daring exploits were understandable, and
d much did be expose himself that the obserVi
I" ti0n was frequently made, Fitzpatrick, if u,
+ insane, is a most desperately reckless man
: and certain il Is, as the sequel proves, that
!, most reckless, daredevil spirit seemed TO ha1
possession of him.
Kpatrcks next exploit and perhaps d
:, most remarkable Of all was his Richmond raj
= the design Of which originated with himsel
= The great object for which this raid was u
/, dertaken was the Liberation Of the $4,000
~ 10000 Federal prisoners confined i'm the fo
a and horrible prisons Of Belle Isle, Castle Thu
der and Libby Through failure Of connectiC
= on the part of a cooperating force under q,
m Dahlgren. caused by that gallant officer beiI
- betrayed by his guide, and himself and near
his whole command thereby losing their live
"A this expedition, unhapIily, proved unsucces
(, fol. While, however, the undertaking was n
- crowned with success, surely no one will di
y pute that il richly deserved il, for never d
mortal men engage in holier or nobler cau'